THANKS RETIREES!The first ever forum of the Toronto Retirees Network was a great success. Under the theme Retired from the Job – Not from the Struggle! over eighty active retirees spend all Monday examining how to build a powerful retirees movement across greater Toronto. The next step is asking every union to establish a retirees chapter so those people with years of experience can continue to support our common efforts for a just society. For more info contact Maureen at 416 441-3663 x 222 or mking@labourcouncil.ca

A CALL TO UNION RETIREESRetirees helped build this country and its labour movement. Now you have a special role to play to defend all that is good about Canada. Help speak out and spread the word by distributing the Call to Union Retirees:

Hold the line at 65! Demand that Old Age Security be put back to age 65, and that no other pension or benefit be eroded.

Expand Canada Pension Plan coverage! CPP is the best, most secure pension plan in Canada. It should be gradually increased so that it provides retirement security for everyone -- to make up for the erosion of workplace pensions and provide something for the growing number of workers who have no pension.

Defend Democracy! The Conservative MP’s in greater Toronto need to be told that they are accountable to the people, not just Stephen Harper and big business. The checks and balances that are essential to a functioning democracy need to be respected and safeguarded -- not trampled on.

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS-- Protect Retirement SecuritySign the petition to, urgently petition Parliament to introduce these changes to improve retirement security for all Canadians 1. Stop the proposed change to Age 67 for Old Age Security, and maintain it at age 65. 2. Increase Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for all retirees. 3. Improve the Canada Pension Plan by implementing a modest phased-increase contribution each year over a few years to fund an increase in benefits. 4. Increase benefit levels of Canada Pension Plan to improve retirement security for all.

With the help of Holly Kirkconnell and David Rapaport of OPSE, we have produced a special flyer for retirees on the anti-union attack. Click here to download

The Congress of Union Retirees of Canada acts as an advocacy organization to ensure that the concerns of union retirees and senior citizens are heard throughout Canada - unionretire.ca.